Barça should use a 4-3-3 at El Clasico >> Read My Mind

Cruyff: 'The favourite to win El Clasico? I can only say that Barcelona always play to win against Madrid. We'll see on Saturday who comes out victorious'
Cruyff: 'The favourite to win El Clasico? I can only say that Barcelona always play to win against Madrid. We'll see on Saturday who comes out victorious'

Cruyff: 'The Clasico won't be decisive. There are so many games left. Nothing that happens on Saturday will be decisive in the title race'

Cruyff: 'It's only a game and nothing more than that. A win for Madrid wouldn't all of a sudden mean that they are now the dominant team'

Del Bosque: 'When I coached Real Madrid we played three at the back in a semi-final of the Champions League against Barcelona and ended up winning the club's eighth European Cup. Barcelona have several options against Madrid and Guardiola must choose the one that he sees fit'

- The Master Johan is right: Barça can only play attacking football, defending would be suicidal. The only question is how risky Guardiola's formation will be.

The 3-4-3 seems to be Pep's preferred option for El Clasico, based on this formation's success at San Siro against AC Milan. FC Barcelona had plenty of possession during that Champions League game, leaving the Rossoneri midfielders chasing shadows until they became exhausted. The perfect scenario for Messi and friends to bite back and achieve victory.

As regular Barçablog.com readers know, I would prefer last season's traditional 4-3-3 (with Alves pushing from the right-back position). My thinking is clear: If it's not broken, there's no need to fix it!!! I feel a solid defensive line, keeping Ronalda and Benzema under control, is essential for beating those pretentious Madridistas. A lineup with Busquets-Xavi-Iniesta should suffice to win the midfield battle.